Were you displaced by the Winston Weaver fertilizer plant fire in January 2022?
You may be entitled to compensation. Read on for more information.
Were you displaced by the Winston Weaver fertilizer plant fire in January 2022?
You may be entitled to compensation. Read on for more information.
Are You Owed for the Harms and Losses You Suffered from the Winston Weaver Fertilizer Plant Fire?
On the night of Monday, January 31st, a fire broke out at the Winston Weaver Company fertilizer plant on the north side of Winston-Salem. According to National Public Radio, the plant contained an estimated 500 tons of a highly combustible chemical, ammonium nitrate, with nearly 100 tons of the chemical kept in an adjacent rail car and 5,000 tons of finished fertilizer onsite. As of Friday, February 4, the cause of the fire was still unknown to the public.
Who Was Affected?
Firefighters were unable to contain the fire that night and approximately 6,000 people in 2,500 residences were asked to voluntarily evacuate within a 1-mile radius of the plant. The primary reason for the evacuation was the potential of a large ammonium nitrate explosion. Businesses were closed and people fled in fear.
On Thursday, February 3rd, the evacuation zone was reduced from one-mile to 660 feet, yet the cause of the fire was still not revealed. Did the plant implement improper handling and storage procedures? Was it storing an excessive amount of a highly combustible chemical in such close proximity to people’s businesses and homes? Did the manufacturer of the chemical err when creating or packaging the chemical? The investigation continues.
How Do I Know if I’m a Victim?
If you live within a 1 mile radius of the Winston Weaver Company plant, you may be a victim. There are apartment and townhome complexes, an elementary school, a correctional institute, and businesses of various sizes within the 1-mile radius of the Winston Weaver Company. Individuals living in these homes may have experienced significant inconveniences due to the fire and incurred significant costs in evacuating, such as hotel charges. Businesses may have lost income during the crisis.
If you are one of these people, you may be eligible for financial compensation for expenses, such as:
- Loss of income
- Relocation costs
- Loss of use of home
- Chemical removal
- Property damage
Winston-Salem residents have also been warned of smoke and poor air quality. Inhalation of high concentrations of ammonium nitrate dust may cause respiratory tract irritation with symptoms such as: coughing, sore throat, shortness of breath, or even suffocation. If you have an underlying lung condition, your health may be at risk.
When Should I Contact a Lawyer?
If you were impacted by the evacuation and had to leave your home or business, we encourage you to call the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin immediately. We understand the disruption that accompanies this type of evacuation, and we will fight for the compensation you may deserve for the inconvenience, income interruption, and damage you may have experienced.
Whether you evacuated or stayed in place, you may have suffered harms and losses that were possibly caused by negligence.
The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin wants to try to ensure that individuals are not put in this situation again, and we will fight for your possible right to compensation. Call us now at 1-866-900-7078 or contact us online for a free evaluation.
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